Karolina Muchova ready to ‘put up a fight’ against ‘amazing player’ Coco Gauff as both reach maiden US Open semi-final

Karolina Muchova says she’s ready to “put up a fight” against Coco Gauff in the US Open semi-finals after sweeping aside Sorana Cirstea in Tuesday’s last-eight clash.

But the Czech will be up against home favourite Gauff – and the crowd – next in New York.

“Obviously, [Coco] is an amazing player. She has the home crowd here,” Muchova said.

“It’s going to be very tough. I’m trying to enjoy this win, then I’ll try to put up a fight against Coco.”

Muchova, like Gauff, is into the US Open semi-finals for the first time as her remarkable 2023 season continues.

The Czech was ranked No. 235 this time last year after struggling with a series of injury problems, but has bounced back to break the top 10 and make deep runs at Slams this year.

The 27-year-old faced Gauff in the Cincinnati final two weeks ago, where she lost 6-3 6-4 while struggling with fatigue.

And Muchova knows what she will be up against next.

“She’s very athletic. She never gives up. Runs for every ball. Doesn’t do many mistakes,” said the Czech.

“She has kind of all the strokes. A very, very good player from all aspects.”

Muchova got off to a fast start against Cirstea, breaking twice early on before a hold for 4-0 where she saved nine break points.

A bagel set was completed in 42 minutes, but the Romanian was more competitive in the second as it stayed on serve until Muchova broke for a 4-3 lead.

Cirstea led 40-0 while 5-3 down, but the Czech managed to turn the game around, setting up match point from an 18-shot rally and seizing it.

Cirstea, 33, was the oldest quarter-finalist at the US Open and was competing at this stage of a Slam event for the first time in 14 years.

The other semi-final will be set on Wednesday when Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova faces Madison Keys and Qinwen Zheng takes on second seed Aryna Sabalenka.